First Look: Meet the New Cast of Nate Berkus's American Dream Builders

A first-look at the experienced and accomplished design-industry insiders competing for glory on your new favorite show.

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Nate Berkus is at it again. The famed interior designer and producer will debut a new reality competition series, American Dream Builders, on NBC on March 23, showcasing the talents of 12 accomplished designers and home builders from around the country. Each week the contestants will be pitted against each other in two massive, transformative home-renovation projects, ultimately competing for a cash prize of $250,000.
We're pleased to be the first to announce the cast of this debut series. Host and judge Berkus is joined by co-founder of landscape architecture firm EDGE and former NFL running back Eddie George, and star of HGTV's Designed to Sell and designer Monica Pedersen. "I knew I had to have judges join me that would not only push our talented designers, but push me as well," says Berkus. "Eddie and Monica are those judges. They have an opinion and aren't afraid to share it."
To meet "magazine-worthy designs," Berkus says, "We had to start with a great cast capable of reaching that level of design. They had to be established -- a group focused on maintaining their hard-earned reputations." To that end, Berkus recruited an accomplished cast of contestants from New York to Huntington Beach and everywhere in between.

Andrew FlesherHometown: New York, NY
Profession: Interior designer, Andrew Flesher Interiors.
Cred: Ranked by House Beautiful's as one of the "Top 25 Young Designers" in 2003 and recognized by Midwest Home as a "Rising Star."
Deadliest weapon: Flawless taste.

Dann FoleyHometown: Palm Springs, CA
Profession: Interior designer, DANNinc.
Cred: A member of American Society of Interior Designers
Deadliest weapon: More than two decades of experience.

Nancy HadleyHometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Profession: Interior designer and artist.
Cred: Furniture designer, sculptor, and muralist for seasons one through five of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and an Emmy Award winner for her behind-the-scenes work on the show.
Deadliest weapon: A jack-of-all-trades who can wield a drill.

Nina MagonHometown: Houston, TX
Profession: Principal Designer, Contour Interior Design.
Cred: The 2013 winner of design awards from ASID and houzz, with features in House and Home and Luxury Portfolio.
Deadliest weapon: A former beauty-queen who is used to fierce competition.

Jay RiordanHometown: Chicago, IL
Profession: President of Riordan Signature Homes.
Cred: Winner of the coveted Crystal Key Award from the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago five years running.
Deadliest weapon: A family history of building excellence.

Christina SalwayHometown: Brooklyn, NY
Profession: Interior designer, ElevenTwoEleven Design
Cred: A frequent guest on The Nate Berkus Show, with work featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Better Homes & Gardens.
Deadliest weapon: An architectural degree with a commercial design background.